About the Artist

Rachel  has always loved to paint and draw,  mostly dabbling in tole painting and decorative objects.   It was after meeting  Dianne Shilliday-Kuzniar, founder of  the French River Cultural Industries Council Inc. FRCIC (a not-for-profit incorporated council that promotes the cultures and arts of the various populations of the French-River, Nipissing corridor), that her art took a different turn and she started learning about various mediums.  She was happy to work with Dianne and many other visionaries on the foundation of the Backstreet Gallery in Noelville/French River (a subsidiary of FRCIC).   It is at the Backstreet Gallery that Rachel first exhibited and sold her paintings. 

After her move to Ottawa in 2015, she joined Arteast Ottawa and  continues a wonderful relationship with like minded artists.

Through Arteast Ottawa, she has participated in their Juried Exhibitions where her art was chosen on occasion to be exhibited for the Juried show at the Shenkman Art Centre and St. Laurent Complex.   Her work can also be seen at venues in and around Ottawa.

Accomplishements: 

-Best in Oils at the Arteast's Award Exhibition 2021 and 2023

-Arteast Juried Shows, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

-Arteast Award Exhibitions 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Venues:

-2008 to 2015 -  Backstreet Gallery, French River

                              Univi Health Centre, French River

-2016 to 2022 -  Shenkman Art Centre,  Trinity Gallery, Ottawa

                              Shenkman Arts Centre, the Promenade, Ottawa

                               Francois Dupuis Recreational Complex, Ottawa

                               Jardin Royal Retirement Home, Ottawa

                               St. Laurent Recreational Complex, Ottawa

                               Orleans Library, Ottawa

                               Bob MacQuarrie Recreational Complex, Ottawa

                                Gloucester Library, Ottawa

                                 Art in the Neighbourhood exhibitions.

After experimenting with various mediums, Rachel was attracted to oils.  The slow drying nature of this medium gives her the ability to create subtle blends and to work wet-into-wet.

Rachel is drawn to the intricate beauty of the flora, fauna and vistas.   She finds joy, beauty and peacefulness in these subjects as evidenced by the delicate  curves of her brush work and the soft colours used. 

Rachel has a vivid imagination and finds meaning and inspiration in commonplace objects.

 Working in the finance banking industry, she found great solace developing the artistic side of her brain.

After her retirement in 2013, she became fully immersed in painting.

Mostly self-taught, her art continues to improve with practice and continued lessons offered online by local and international workshops 

Rachel lived in Sudbury, Ontario until 2000 where she moved to French River.

In 2015, she and her husband moved to Orleans (Ottawa) to be closer to their children and grandchildren.    

Rachel admires all artistic styles, but is drawn to Realism Artists.   She is intrigued with George Seurat for his chromoluminarism and pointillism, by Rembrandt for his visual arts, and she    takes inspiration from inpressionism greats like Monet, Renoir to name a few   She finds Robert Bateman's nature inspired work and Mary Pratt's art revealed through her daily life, are both styles she aspires for.

She was awe struck with the realistic work of  Carole Rodrigue, an artist she met at the  Backstreet Gallery, and also follows the great works and workshops of Andrew Tischer  and has since had the opportunity to follow them on Patreon.   She was introduced to pencil drawing by a fellow Arteast member and instructor,  Lissa Rachelle

She continues to enjoy her journey through the art world,  appreciating all the artists she meets and has opportunity to work with.